JPH0778424B2 - Automatic measuring device - Google Patents

Description

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to metrology equipment, and more particularly, the present invention measures parts molded according to an automated line-of-work method to determine these parts. For determining whether the critical dimension characteristics of the are within a predetermined tolerance range.

[Prior Art] There are many component manufacturing processes in which the dimensional characteristics of the finished component are extremely important. That is, when manufacturing a part by a manufacturing process such as machining or molding,
The dimensional characteristics imparted by this process need to be within certain design limits, sometimes with tolerances on the order of a few thousandths of an inch or less. When such parts are manufactured in large quantities at high speed according to an automated line-of-sale process, quality assurance inspection can be a major bottleneck in production. In such cases, it is not uncommon to inspect the dimensional accuracy of the finished part only on random samples. Then, trends in process variations can be detected and corrective action can be taken if necessary.

However, in certain applications where part dimensional integrity is required, quality assurance inspection of all finished parts is essential. An example of such an application is a spacer used in a fuel assembly or bundle for a nuclear reactor. An example of such a spacer is disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,508,679 to Matzner et al., Assigned to the same assignee as in the present invention.
Specifically, each spacer comprises a number of tubular ferrules joined together and surrounded by a peripheral support band, the lumen of each ferrule providing a passage for a fuel rod. In such a ferrule, the fuel rods are centrally arranged by the action of two pairs of protrusions and springs that are separated from each other along the axial direction. The above-mentioned protrusion is formed by a groove-shaped portion formed by recessing the side wall of the ferrule inward. In order to achieve proper positioning of a large number of fuel rods in a fuel bundle, the height of the protrusion as described above (that is, the radial distance from the outer peripheral surface of the ferrule to the surface of the protrusion) is crucial. is there.
Therefore, it is necessary to perform a quality assurance inspection on the height of each protrusion on each ferrule. Since each fuel bundle uses multiple spacer ferrules, they must be manufactured according to a mass production scheme.
Prior to assembling such a ferrule into a spacer for a fuel bundle, it is a difficult task to promptly perform quality assurance inspection on the height of the four protrusions of each ferrule so as not to become a production bottleneck. It was

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a measuring device for rapidly measuring the dimensional characteristics of a molded part according to an automated method.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an automatic measuring device as described above that can be incorporated in a parts production line without limiting the production speed of finished parts.

Furthermore, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide the above-mentioned automatic measuring device capable of measuring the dimensions of a plurality of component structures with high accuracy.

Furthermore, it is also an object of the present invention to provide an automatic measuring device as described above, which can determine the pass or fail of each component by comparing the measurement result of the component structure with a set quality assurance standard. Is one of.

Furthermore, it is another object of the present invention to provide the above-described automatic measuring device capable of automatically classifying the parts that have undergone the quality assurance inspection into the accepted product lot and the rejected product lot. .

Furthermore, it is also possible to provide an automatic measuring device as described above, which can perform quality assurance judgments regarding the pass or fail of each part with high reliability and quickly over continuous working time without human intervention. This is one of the purposes of the present invention.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent on reading the description which follows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a metrology device for measuring the dimensions of a plurality of surface structures formed on a component according to an automated flow working scheme. Such a measuring device receives the molded parts sequentially from the supply mechanism, reverses the front and back of each part if necessary, arranges each part so as to indicate a predetermined angular direction, and Transfer the parts showing the markings onto the measuring jig. A plurality of sensors (e.g., eddy current probes) attached to the measuring jig measure the critical dimension of the surface structure of the component. By comparing the output of the sensor with quality assurance criteria, it is determined whether the dimensions of the surface structure are within design tolerance limits. Based on such a determination result, the parts are automatically sorted into the acceptable product lot or the unacceptable product lot.

The invention thus comprises structural features, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, all of which are detailed in the following description. Further, the scope of the present invention is specified in the claims.

The contents and objects of the present invention will be more clearly understood by reading the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the drawings.

[Embodiment] The automatic measuring device of the present invention has a reference numeral in FIGS. 2 to 4.
Described in connection with an application for assessing the height of protrusions on a ferrule shown as 12. Such ferrules are disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,679 by welding a number of similar ferrules together and referenced in FIGS. 1-3 of this specification. It is used to make structurally rigid fuel bundle spacers such as those shown at 13. A laser welding apparatus suitable for such a purpose is a Muncy (equipment for automatically welding assembly of parts in a controlled environment) assigned to the same assignee as in the present invention. ), Etc., in co-pending US patent application Ser. No. 279010. Spacers, such as those described above, are used intermittently along the length of the fuel bundle, shown as reference numeral 15 in FIG. 1, thereby providing an intermediate support for holding a number of fuel rods 22 at predetermined intervals. Useful as a material. Each ferrule is a cylindrical member cut out from a seamless tube made of a metal material having a small neutron absorption cross section (for example, a zirconium alloy). First of all, such a ferrule has a looped spring mounted in opposing C-shaped openings 16 in the sidewalls of each ferrule, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Paired by 14 An automated device suitable for such a purpose is described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 279006, such as Moreno, which is assigned to the same assignee as the present invention and is referred to as an "automatic assembly device". Is disclosed in. The ferrule sidewall also has a short circumferential slit
18 is provided which allows a protrusion 20 to be formed at each end of the ferrule which is formed by indenting a portion of the side wall. C-shaped opening 16 and slit
The formation of 18 as well as the formation of the reference notch 50 located at one end of the ferrule is assigned to the same assignee as in the present invention "Apparatus for machining complex shaped openings in thin tubular parts". Can be performed by an automatic laser cutting machine such as that disclosed in co-pending US patent application Ser. No. 279007.
Also, an automated device suitable for the purpose of forming protrusions is
It is disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 279009 to King et al., Referred to as an "automated molding machine," assigned to the same assignee as in the present invention.

As best shown in FIG. 4, each ferrule 12 is provided with four protrusions 20. When the fuel rod 22 is inserted into the lumen of the ferrule, as shown in FIG. 2, the spring 14 has two pairs of protrusions that are angularly separated from each other.
Press the fuel rod against 20. Thus, these protrusions 20 serve to accurately position the fuel rod within the ferrule lumen. Therefore, when such ferrules are incorporated into the spacers 13, they serve to accurately position multiple fuel rods within the fuel bundle 15. The importance of fuel rod positioning is detailed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,679, so it need not be repeated here. Since the position of the fuel rod is determined by the height of the protrusion as described above (that is, the radial distance 21 (FIG. 2) between the outer peripheral surface of the adjacent portion of the ferrule and the protrusion surface in contact with the fuel rod), The height of the protrusion is a determinant dimension when the ferrule 12 is produced. Therefore, regarding the height of the protrusion, 100% of parts must undergo quality assurance inspection. Larger reactors typically contain about 800 fuel bundles, each fuel bundle containing as many as seven spacers 13, and each spacer containing as many as 60 ferrules 12 This can be a significant bottleneck in spacer production, as an enormous number of dimensional tests are required for full quality assurance of height. The measuring device of the present invention has a peculiar structure designed to carry out a dimensional inspection regarding the height of each protrusion on each ferrule according to an automated flow work system.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, a series of ferrules 12
Are sequentially supplied to the measuring device 10 of the present invention through the inclined tube 30. The end of the inclined tube 30 is the ferrule alignment station 32.
It is located inside. The ferrule alignment station 32
A mount 34 is included that is supported in an inclined position by a stand 36. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, immediately after the outlet of the inclined tube 30, the shuttle 38
Are slidably attached to the fitting 34. The shuttle 38 receives each of the supplied ferrules 12 and then the ferrules are actuated by actuation of the pneumatic cylinder 40.
Move 12 laterally. As a result, the ferrule 12 will be supported by the pair of elongated rollers 42.
The presence of the ferrule row to be subjected to such lateral movement is detected by the sensor 44. The rollers 42 are in close proximity to each other, but in a parallel and slanted state, the mounting member 34
Is attached to. The motor 46 drives the rollers 42 in the opposite direction via the gear train 48, resulting in the ferrules carried thereon rotating in one direction.

As mentioned earlier, a semicircular notch 50 is attached to one end of each ferrule.
Is provided. The notch 50 is C in the molding process.
It serves as an angular reference point used to accurately determine the position of the protrusion 20 with respect to the letter-shaped opening 16.
This ferrule is under the action of gravity while the roller 42 rotates the ferrules supported on them.
Advance toward pin 52, which is upright between 42. As shown in FIG. 6, the front end of the rotating ferrule has a notch 50.
Pin 52 quickly finds the notch and snaps into the notch. A pair of sensors 54 are attached to the fixture 34 at positions that help detect whether the pin 52 has found the notch 50 by observing the front end of the ferrule. If the pin 52 finds the notch 50, a signal is sent to the pneumatic cylinder 56 to retract the pin 52, causing the ferrule to rotate the roller 42.
Continued to move forward while being supported by the above.

On the other hand, if the pin 52 cannot find the notch 50 (ie, the notch 50 is at the rear end of the ferrule), the front and back of the ferrule must be reversed. A reversing mechanism is provided to perform such a vertical replacement, and this reversing mechanism has a U-shaped end having a sector gear 58 rotatably supported by a fitting 34.
A shape arm 57 is included. The sector gear 58 meshes with a rack 60 mounted on the mount 34 in a reciprocating motion under the action of a pneumatic cylinder 62. The free end of arm 57 carries thimble 64,
The thimble 64 is typically located behind the ferrule supported on the roller 42 and is aligned with the central axis of the ferrule. When the sensor 54 indicates replacement of the ferrule, the pneumatic cylinder 62 is actuated to reciprocate the rack 60, whereby the arm 57 pivots in the counterclockwise direction (FIG. 5), and the pin 52 is moved therewith.
Is retreated. As a result, as the ferrule advances on the rotating roller 42, the thimble 64 will slide into the ferrule from its unnotched front end. Next, when the pneumatic cylinder 62 pivots the arm 57 in the clockwise direction, the ferrule drops from the thimble 64 onto the roller 42 in the front-rear reversed state. In this way, the ferrule is replaced with a notch 50 at the front end. The pin 52 remains retracted so that the ferrule continues to advance on the rotating roller 42.

A ferrule arranged in the correct context as described above is defined by a retractable pin 66 arranged to advance over the rotating roller 42 and intercept the notched front end of the ferrule. Fixture 34
To reach the picking position within. The ferrule continues to rotate due to the action of roller 42, so pin 66 is notched 50
Discover and fit into the notch. As a result, the ferrule will be placed at the pick-up position with the desired angular orientation. If the pin 66 finds the notch 50, a sensor (not shown) signals the rollers 42 to stop them. If the pin 52 cannot find the notch 50 after multiple ferrule replacements by the reversing mechanism (i.e., the notch 50 does not exist or the notch 50 does not have a specified depth), pin
Both 52 and 66 are retracted, and the ferrule drops past the pick position into the reject container.

At this point, the preparation for measuring the ferrule protrusion height is completely completed. The picking and mounting mechanism, shown as reference numeral 68 in FIG. 5, is then actuated. The pick and place mechanism 68 is a slider mounted on a track 72 directed by the stand 36.
Contains 70. The slider 70 carries a pair of parallel arms 74, the free ends of which are equipped with inwardly facing hands 76 as shown in FIG. The free end surface 77 of these hands 76 is machined to fit snugly against the diametrically opposite outer peripheral surface of the ferrule in the picked position. Such picking and mounting mechanism 68 is equipped with conventional means (not shown) for moving the arms 74 in opposite directions, as indicated by arrow 78. As a result, the free end surface 77 of the hand 76 can pinch or separate the ferrule in the pick position within the fixture 34 from both sides. The hand 76 is also preferably provided with a pair of protrusions 79 formed so as to be in close contact with both ends of the ferrule when the hand 76 holds the ferrule.

To pick up the properly positioned ferrule from the pick position, the hand 76 is actuated to grab the outer surface of the ferrule. After retracting pin 66 (Fig. 5),
By actuating the pneumatic cylinder 80 to move the pick-up and mounting mechanism slider 70 to the left, the ferrule is transferred to a measurement jig, shown as reference numeral 82 in FIG. Note that such a linear transfer does not change the angular orientation of the ferrule set at the pick-up position. When the ferrule is transferred to the measuring jig 82, the pneumatic cylinder 40 reciprocates the shackle 38 to move the next ferrule laterally. As a result, the ferrule is supported on rollers 42, displaced back and forth if necessary, and advanced to the pick-up position. At the pick-up position, the ferrule is positioned to indicate the desired angular orientation and awaits measurement.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the measurement jig 82 is mounted to the stand 36 and includes an arbor 84 axially aligned with the ferrule in the picked position. Therefore, if the ferrule is linearly transferred from the pick-up position to the measuring jig, the arbor 84 will be inserted into the lumen of the ferrule. As shown in FIG. 8, when the ferrule is mounted on the arbor 84 by the pick and mount mechanism 68, the guide pin 86 fits into the ferrule notch 50. This causes the ferrule protrusion 20 to be accurately aligned with the angular reference plane 88 of the arbor 84. A spring-loaded tongue 90 is loosely keyed to the arbor 84, which acts on the inner surface of the ferrule and biases the ferrule radially, resulting in the protrusion 20 being flush with the reference surface 88. Pressed against. Longitudinal groove 92
Provides clearance for receiving the pick-up and mounting mechanism projections 79 when mounting the ferrule on the arbor 84. When the ferrule is mounted on the arbor 84, the ferrule is released from the hand 76.

The measuring jig 82 also includes a sensor block 94 mounted proximate to and below the arbor 84. The sensor block 94 is provided with a space for mounting a plurality of proximity sensors (for example, eddy current probes) in a fixed positional relationship with the surface of the arbor 84. In the illustrated embodiment, seven eddy current probes 96 are used. As shown in FIG. 4, these tips are arranged so that their tips are close to the surface portions 96a to 96g on the outer peripheral surface of the ferrule. More specifically, the two probes are provided with a pair of slits 18 whose tips are vertically aligned.
Is located close to the surface portions 96a and 96b located immediately inside, and the other two probes are located immediately inside the pair of longitudinally aligned slits. It is arranged so as to be close to the surface portions 96c and 96d located. The tips of the remaining three probes are close to the surface portions 96e to 96g that are vertically aligned in the middle of the pair of protrusions 20 that are separated in the angular direction. That is, the surface portion 96e is located between the pair of protrusions immediately inside one end of the ferrule, and the surface portion 96f is similarly formed.
It is located between another pair of protrusions. Surface part 96g,
It is located in the center of the ferrule when viewed along its length.

Since the protrusion 20 is in contact with the reference surface 88 of the arbor and the distance between the tip of the overcurrent probe and the reference surface 88 is known, the positions of the surface portions 96a to 96d with respect to the tip of each probe are measured. It will be appreciated that an accurate measure of the height of each protrusion can be obtained. Also, measurements on the surface sites 96e-96g are useful for detecting longitudinal deformation (i.e., cylindrical distortion) of the ferrule.

The various operations of the automatic measuring device 10 of the present invention are controlled by a programmable controller 98 supported by the computer 100. To calibrate the measuring jig 82, the sensor block 94
After determining the radial position of the probe in the, a ferrule with a known protrusion height 21 (Fig. 2) and the correct cylinder shape is measured. The output from the probe is converted from an analog signal into a digital count value and then processed by the computer 100 to create a calibration curve for each probe using the least squares method for curve fitting. Those calibration curves plotted in mils against counts are entered into the controller 98, along with a range of counts corresponding to the design dimensional tolerances in each case. As a result, the controller 98 can operate independently to monitor the digital count from each probe to determine if it is within a predetermined tolerance. If all probe measurements are determined to be within acceptable limits, controller 98 controls pneumatic cylinder 102, which causes trough 108 to arbor 84.
The sorting machine 104 is arranged so as to be located immediately below and in front of.
The pick and place mechanism 68 is then activated to grab the measured ferrule and withdraw the ferrule from the arbor 84. After leaving the arbor 84, the hand 76 opens and releases the ferrule, so the ferrule falls into the trough 108. From this acceptable trough 108, the ferrule will be sent to downstream equipment by suitable means (not shown) for further processing. On the other hand, when it is determined that any of the specified probe values is out of the allowable range, the sorting machine is arranged so that the rejected ferrule pulled out from the arbor 84 by the pick-up and mounting mechanism 68 falls into the trough 106. 104 is operated. From this reject trough 106, the ferrule is directed to a suitable container (not shown). There, these ferrules undergo visual inspection and manual measurement if necessary, and are eventually discarded.

The pick-up and mounting mechanism 68 picks up the ferrule from the measuring jig 82, drops it on the sorting machine 104, and picks up the next ferrule waiting at the pick-up position. Since these movements are performed as one continuous linear movement,
It will be appreciated that it saves time. Along the way, the hand 76 opens to drop the ferrule on the sorting machine 104, which also serves as a preparatory operation for grabbing the next ferrule at the pick-up position.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the quality assurance inspection of the dimensional characteristics of ferrules for fuel rod spacers, the principle of the present invention is also for inspecting the dimensional characteristics of various molded parts according to an automated flow work system. It will be clear that it is applicable.

In this way, it will be appreciated that the objectives described above, including those apparent from the above description, are effectively achieved. Also, various modifications may be made to the structures described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore,
It is to be understood that all matter set forth in the above description should be understood as illustrative and not limiting the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway elevation view of a fuel bundle, FIG. 2 is a plan view of a spacer used in the fuel bundle of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the spacer of FIG. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side view, FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fuel rod positioning ferrule used in the spacers of FIGS. 2 and 3, and FIG.
FIG. 6 is an elevation view of an automatic measuring device constructed in accordance with the present invention for inspecting the critical dimensional characteristics of the ferrule of FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a top view of a ferrule alignment station used in the automatic measuring device of FIG. FIG. 7 shows line 7-7 in FIG.
8 is a front view of a measuring jig used in the automatic measuring device of FIG. [Explanation of symbols] 12 …… Ferrule, 13 …… Spacer, 14 …… Spring, 15…
… Fuel bundle, 16 …… C-shaped opening, 18 …… Slit,
20 …… Protrusion, 21 …… Radial direction distance (protrusion height), 22 ……
Fuel rod, 30 ... Inclined tube, 32 ... Ferrule alignment station, 34 ... Fixing device, 38 ... Shuttle, 40, 56,
62, 80 …… Pneumatic cylinder, 42 …… Roller, 44, 54 ……
Sensor, 46 ... Electric motor, 48 ... Gear device, 50 ... Reference notch, 52, 66 ... Pin, 57 ... U-shaped arm, 58 ... Sector gear, 60 ... Rack, 64 ... Thimble, 68 ...... Pickup and device mechanism, 70 …… Slider, 72 …… Orbit, 74…
… Arm, 76… Hand, 82… Measuring jig, 84… Arbor, 86… Guide pin, 88… Reference plane, 90… Tongue, 94
…… Sensor block, 96 …… Eddy current probe, 96a to 96g ……
Surface area, 98 ... Controller, 100 ... Calculator, 104 ... Sorting machine, 106, 108 ... Trough.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor William Mark Childers, Alabama, USA, Heartsel, Box 299, Route 1 (no street number) (72) Inventor Freddy Earl Turner Washington, USA , Woodinville, NE, One Hundred and 8th Avenue, 16544

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. An automatic measuring device for measuring a radial distance between a first portion and a second portion present on an inner surface and an outer surface of a tubular part, respectively. Has a determined dimension of the surface structure formed on the side wall of the component, and (A) automatically operates a series of components to sequentially place the components in a pick-up position in a predetermined orientation. An aligning station for: (B) (1) an arbor having a reference surface for inserting into the internal cavity of the component; (2) carried by the arbor, wherein the first portion is Means for displacing the component in the radial direction until it reaches a measurement position in contact with the reference surface, (3) a sensor block arranged adjacent to the arbor, and (4) the sensor block having a fixed relationship with the reference surface. The sensor attached to the block A sensor for producing an output signal indicative of the position of the sensor relative to the second portion, and thus the radial dimension between the first portion and the second portion, the output signal indicating the determined dimension. (C) signal processing means for processing the output signal to determine if the determined dimension is within acceptable limits; and (D) a series of parts from the pick-up position to the arbor. And an automatic measuring device having a transfer means for transferring to. 2. Controlled by said signal processing means,
The automatic measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a sorting machine for separating a component having a proper determined dimension from a component having an unqualified determined dimension. 3. The automatic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the transfer means pulls out a measured part from the arbor and drops it on the sorting machine, and picks up the next part to be measured from the pick-up position. Measuring device. 4. Each part includes a plurality of independent surface structures, the arbor contacting the first portion of each surface structure under the action of the radial biasing means. A plurality of sensors having a plurality of reference planes and independent of each other in a fixed relationship with the reference plane of the arbor are attached to the block, each of the sensors having the second surface of the respective surface structure. Generating an output signal indicative of the position of the sensor with respect to the site, and thus the determined dimension of the radial distance between the first site and the second site of each surface structure, the signal processing 4. The automatic metrology system of claim 3, wherein the means processes each output signal individually to determine if all of the determined dimensions of the plurality of surface structures are within acceptable limits. 5. Each part includes a reference notch formed at one end thereof, the alignment station comprising: (1) the axial translation of each series of parts toward the pick-up position. A component rotation translation means for rotating the component about its central axis, (2) a first retractable pin arranged so as to block the front end of the component, (3) a reversing mechanism, (4) the fourth In response to one pin finding the reference notch, the first pin is retracted to retract the first pin.
And a signal to the reversing mechanism to reverse the front and back of the part and retract the first pin in response to the first pin not finding the reference notch. And a detector to send the
The automatic measuring device according to claim 3, wherein the component always reaches the pick-up position with a notched end as a head. 6. The aligning station further includes a second retractable pin disposed in the pick-up position such that it intercepts the front end of the component, the second pin including a second retractable pin of the component. It fits into the reference notch so as to stop the axial rotation, whereby the part is
The automatic measuring device according to claim 5, wherein the automatic measuring device is arranged at the pick-up position facing a predetermined angular direction for picking up by the transfer means. 7. The component rotary translation means includes a pair of elongated parallel rollers inclined toward the pick-up position and spaced apart from each other and rotating in opposite directions,
The automatic measuring device according to claim 6, wherein the component is supported on the roller. 8. An automatic measuring device for measuring the height of each of the projections for positioning a nuclear fuel rod, wherein the projections have a part of a sidewall of a tubular ferrule contained in a fuel bundle spacer inwardly. (A) an aligning station for automatically operating a series of ferrules and sequentially arranging the ferrules in a pick-up position in a state of showing a predetermined orientation; An arbor for inserting into the lumen of the ferrule, and (2) the surfaces of the projections that are carried by the arbor and that position the fuel rods contact the reference surface, respectively. Means for displacing the ferrule in the radial direction until reaching the measurement position, (3) a sensor block arranged adjacent to the arbor, and (4) the reference plane, respectively. A plurality of sensors mounted on the block in a fixed relationship,
The position of the sensor relative to the portion on the outer peripheral surface of the ferrule adjacent to each of the protrusions, and thus the height of the protrusion from the portion on the outer peripheral surface to the surface of the protrusion for positioning the fuel rod, is shown. A measuring jig including a plurality of sensors for generating output signals; and (C) signal processing means for individually processing the output signals to determine if all of the heights of the protrusions are within acceptable limits. And (D) a transfer device that transfers a series of ferrules from the pickup position to the arb. 9. Controlled by said signal processing means,
The automatic measuring device according to claim 8, further comprising a sorting machine that separates a ferrule having an appropriate protrusion height from a ferrule having an inappropriate protrusion height. 10. The automatic apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the transfer means pulls out the measured ferrule from the arbor and drops it on the sorting machine, and picks up the next ferrule to be measured from the pick-up position. Measuring device. 11. Each ferrule includes a protrusion that is angularly spaced from each other adjacent the end of each ferrule, the measuring jig including four sensors, the sensor comprising: 11. The automatic measuring device according to claim 10, wherein each of the above-mentioned measures the height of each protrusion. 12. The automatic metrology of claim 11, wherein the measuring jig includes three additional sensors mounted on the block in a longitudinal alignment to detect the cylindrical distortion of the ferrule. apparatus. 13. Each ferrule includes a reference notch formed in one end thereof, the alignment station comprising: (1) axially translating each ferrule in the series toward the pick-up position. (2) a first retractable pin arranged so as to block the front end of the ferrule; (3) a reversing mechanism; (4) the fourth In response to one pin finding the reference notch, the first pin is retracted to retract the first pin.
And sending a signal to the reversing mechanism to reverse the front and back of the ferrule and retract the first pin in response to the first pin not finding the reference notch. 12. The automatic measuring device of claim 11, further comprising a sending detector, whereby the ferrule always reaches the pick-up position with the notched end first. 14. The aligning station further includes a second retractable pin disposed in the pick-up position so as to intercept the front end of the ferrule, the second retractable pin being disposed in the pick-up position.
Pin is fitted in the reference notch so as to stop the rotation of the ferrule in the axial direction.
14. The automatic measuring device according to claim 13, wherein the ferrule is arranged at the pick-up position facing a predetermined angular direction for picking up by the transfer means. 15. The ferrule rotary translation means includes a pair of elongated parallel rollers inclined toward the pick-up position and spaced apart from each other and rotating in opposite directions. 15. The automatic measuring device according to claim 14, which is supported by. 16. The sensor is an eddy current probe.
The automatic measuring device described in 10.